Darvel’s title charge takes a big stumble
McInally’s side drop to seventh place after Beith defeat
Darvel’s hopes of mouting a West of Scotland Premier Division title charge took a hit as they slipped to seventh place following defeat to Beith.
Tony McInally’s side suffered a 3-2 loss away from home at the defending champions which puts the Bellsdale Park side firmly in control of the title race as they sit five points behind leaders Clydebank with five games in hand.
A jinking run from Carlo Monti led to the opening goal as his flighted cross was nodded home from close range by Ciaran Driver.
At the other end, Jordan Moore missed a glorious chance to level things up from close range which proved costly as Driver soon doubled his tally for the afternoon after being teed up by Alan Docherty as the home side launched a quick counterattack.
Moore made up for his earlier miss as he reduced the arrears with the final action of the first half thanks to a fine turn and finish inside a congested penalty area.
Genuine chances were few and far between in an often scrappy second half but Beith seemingly put the game to bed eight minutes from time as Aaron Mason fired home after his original effort was blocked.
There was still enough time for the away side, who had strong handball claims for a penalty turned down, to make things interesting.
Moore latched onto a forward ball and split the two centre-backs before firing beyond the Beith keeper.
But it was a case of too little, too late as Darvel were unable to find a dramatic equaliser in the game’s final moments.
Darvel gaffer McInally admitted his side simply didn’t do enough to warrant three points over the course of the game, saying: “Obviously disappointed with the final result but I don’t think we deserved to win the game.
“I thought Beith were hungrier and I thought they started well and got their goals at the right time.
“I can’t fault the boys’ effort but I thought we lacked a wee bit of composure.
“A bit more composed in the final third and I think we could maybe have gotten a better result.”
He added: “First goal’s a terrible goal to lose. I don’t know what’s happened in the corner but two boys are on their backside and it’s an easy cross.
“Their centre forward has got the freedom of the world to put it in the net so it was a poor goal for us to lose.”